NATO expansion will cause instability at international level

Moscow/Madrid: Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov warned that the expansion of NATO is a matter of rising instability on the international level. There will be no change in the security status of NATO or the newly adopted members after this expansion. The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister also pointed out that the NATO expansion is part of the aggressive strategy to stop Russia, proving the new expansionism.

Moreover, Sweden and Finland, which had adopted a nonaligned stand over the last seven decades, have decided to join NATO after the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Both these countries made the announcement last month in this respect. Now, NATO has extended an invitation to both the countries to join NATO and has indicated that the process of joining will be ‘fast-tracked’. Turkey, which was opposed to the membership of both these countries, has consented to their membership. This reaction seems to have emanated from Russia against this background.

Furthermore, NATO’s expansion has always been a point of contention in the relations between Russia and the west. Russian President Vladimir Putin took an aggressive stance on this issue and stressed over Russian defence preparedness. At the same time, he warned of conflicts if NATO tried to enter the Russian influence zone. The main reason behind the current Russia-Ukraine conflict is Ukrainian efforts to acquire a NATO membership. Russia has taught a lesson to Georgia in the past for similar efforts with an attack.

Meanwhile, the Russian President had warned of action even following the announcements by Sweden and Finland regarding NATO membership. The warning issued by the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister indicates that the aggressive Russian stand in the matter continues. Deputy Foreign Minister also warned that NATO is a front posing a threat to the Russian security and Russia will take necessary steps against it.